Learning on the job has a lot of benefits to it, and many more than you may think! So if you’re in it for a career change, but you’re not sure what you can do next, or you think you’ve got next to no transferable skills, here’s why you might be wrong to not give those job listings a chance. 

You really could do anything next, with just a bit of research!

You’re Learning and Earning

Let’s say you’ve taken up an apprenticeship; not only will you be trained in how to do a certain job or trade, but you’ll be able to cash in a living wage at the same time. This saves you a lot of time in the future, and it means you’ll also be able to support yourself through the program. 

If you’re looking for an alternative to university, this is a great way forward. And if you want to learn more about programs like these (because they’ve available all over the world!), be sure to get in touch with local businesses and to read up on government, organization, and charity websites. 

You’ll Get Used to the Workplace

When you’re learning on the job, and it’s a job you’ve never done before or you weren’t sure you were qualified for, you’ll learn the most specific ins and outs of how it works. You’ll be able to focus wholly on the job at hand, and what it asks of you, rather than rely on potentially questionable experience from another workplace. 

For some employers out there, this means you can become the perfect fit for the position they’re hiring for. They can train you whenever you need it, and know it’ll be taken on board and pay off in everyone’s favor in the long run. All in all, learning on the job means you’ll know your new workplace like the back of your hand, and that’s invaluable in the modern working world. 

It’s Very Cost Effective

This is more a point for your employer than for you, but it’s important to keep this in mind as well! When someone can hire you, a ready and willing worker, to get on with a job that you can learn as you go, they won’t have to spend money on external training or putting miles and miles into finding the ‘perfect’ candidate for the job. After all, that could be you in just a couple of weeks’ time! 

But on the other hand, it’s also cost-effective for you too. You won’t have to put yourself through another form of education or spend too long on the job search, and that could save you a lot of money over a yearly period. 

Learning on the job can be a very valuable use of your time and resources. If you want to switch careers, or indeed, get into your very first one without the need of education, be sure to look for beginner positions, training programs, and plenty of apprenticeships! 

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In these uncertain economic times, more people than ever are worried about their jobs. The career that you have built up over the past few years is suddenly brought into doubt because of the coronavirus crisis. Just six months ago the world was markedly different with the markets buoyant, the lowest unemployment figures for a generation, and people looking forward to the future. Fast forward to today and the world has shifted immeasurably. You are now considering your future career and questioning what is important to you in life. While it might have been a fast car, a large pay packet, and a big house, now you are more concerned about quality family time, forging positive relationships, and feeling fulfilled. Covid-19 has made everyone reflect and focus on less materialistic things.

However, this doesn’t mean that you are not worried about your job. If you work in an industry that is seeing hardship such as the hospitality, catering or tourism sectors, your job could be hanging in the balance as large companies across the globe are shedding employees in order to try and survive. This can cause you untold amounts of stress on top of the anxieties you may already be suffering from because of the pandemic. To ensure that your job worries don’t get out of hand and become a problem, you need to be proactive. Take a look at how your job worries can be kept in check so that they don’t become a major problem.

There may be more people hunting for jobs in the near future. With unemployment rising in the short term and fewer jobs to go around, you need to make yourself stand head and shoulders above your fellow job hunters if you do find yourself out of work. Or maybe, you simply fancy a change of career – you could find yourself seeking out new and more fulfilling opportunities as you question what makes you happy.

Upskill

During the time of Covid-19, we have been forced to stay within our own four walls. As businesses have shut down, restaurants no longer serve diners and retailers no longer cater for shoppers, we have stayed at home a lot more. While you could choose to procrastinate, watching box sets on Netflix, and scrolling endlessly through Facebook, this is not a proactive way to consider your career. Instead, look at the ways you can make yourself stand out from the crowd. Consider heading online to do some free courses. There are plenty of free leadership webinars to attend, free online business skills qualifications, and more formal MBAs to enroll in online. Doing this shows any potential new employer that you are committed to improving yourself even when times are tough. To be proactive and seek out betterment opportunities takes motivation and guts. 

When you have upskilled, you need to consider how best to relay this information. By honing your resume, making it more concise, interesting to read, and engaging, you can show companies how ready you are for the next step. It doesn’t matter whether you are struggling with redundancy or whether you are switching careers, upskilling, and showing off your experience in a positive way will help get you shortlisted for jobs.

If you are looking to switch to a wholly unrelated sector to what you are currently in, don’t assume that this is a lost cause. Yes, you’ll be competing against experienced candidates but you will have transferable skills. Leadership, teamwork, presentation, and the ability to prioritize are necessary skills for all sectors from teaching to catering and from social media entrepreneurship to accountancy. Whatever you want to do, use this time during lockdown to craft a plan to help you succeed.

Worst Case Scenario

If you are struggling to find a role, think about opting for a job that allows you to make money in the short term. While you might not be making a fortune, trying to earn a living wage is crucial to help you keep your head above water. The best roles could include becoming an Uber driver or working a shift pattern in a factory. While these roles are relatively unskilled, they can be easily sought in most economic circumstances. If you become an Uber driver, you don’t need overheads and can use your own car. Ensure that you take a look at ride share car insurance rates to ensure you retain fully comprehensive cover when you are carrying passengers. You may need to alter your tax return and you may be able to claim back certain expenses.

Talk To Your Boss And Network

If you know that things are looking a little uncertain in your current workplace, think about talking to your boss. Be flexible and enquire about any other opportunities there might be in the office. For some people, a side step or even a demotion is favorable to losing a job altogether. 

If you don’t want to stay within your current place of work and you want to seek work elsewhere, get networking. Head onto social media groups and network with like-minded professionals. Get yourself into webinars, try to forge a positive relationship with industry bodies, and try to lead a tutorial. This can get your face and name out there. If you want to run a consultancy eventually, big names in your sector will flock to see who you are and what you have to say. Experts are always sought after so consider the niche you will be targeting. If you work in finance, don’t specialize in conglomerates or tax returns – this is too common. Instead, focus on providing tax relief to small IT contractors, or look at how business change management is impacting the financial sector. This will help you to bring something new to the industry and will see your expertise in demand.

Starting Your Own Business

If you don’t want to remain in the rat race, it might be time to consider your position in your current role. If you have always had a money-making idea whirring around at the back of your head, now might be the time to give it a go. Say goodbye to your steady wage, your promotion prospects, and the office politics in return for being your own boss. You can launch your own venture to try and bring something new to the market. As the coronavirus pandemic shifts and new business entities form, there will be more space in the market to make your mark.

Think about what you are passionate about and try to launch a startup that allows you to enjoy your working day. Rather than go into an office and sit at a laptop all day, you could be trading antiques if auction houses are your passion, you could be designing custom made tee shirts if you want to flex your creative muscles, or you can import the finest ball bearings in the world if you have links in the automotive trade. If you have an idea that you think can work, give it a go.

You must ensure that you do the market research needed before you launch. You may think that you have the best idea that your industry has seen in a generation, but your potential market may think differently. Consider conducting focus groups and carry out surveys. Heed the advice and feedback from these individuals and adapt your product or service accordingly. Think about changing the price point, adapting the materials used for a product, or changing how you provide a certain service. Market research is costly, but worthwhile if you are to launch in an effective way.

Planning is a crucial facet of starting your own business. You cannot print off a generic template form the Internet and fill it in only for it to be filed away in a drawer forever. It needs to be a well-thumbed working document that will help you to construct your business vision and become a market leader. Detail your financial forecasts for at least the first three years of trading and ensure that you know your gross from your net. If you are looking to pitch to a loan manager at the bank or a business angel, it’s vital that you are ready to field questions and know your business like the back of your hand. Be engaging, genuine, and enthusiastic. Have a haircut before your appointment or presentation and ensure that you are suited and booted. People will be investing in you as much as your business idea.

Going it alone, seeking a career switch, or finding yourself out of work all bring different and contrasting challenges. While the pandemic world has thrust a new normal upon us, we have to learn to adapt rather than resist this change. Your career may not be the be-all and end-all of your life anymore, but it is still an important aspect of your life. With a solution-focused mind and some creative, proactive thinking, you can survive, if not thrive, these testing times. 

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Asking your boss for a raise is hard. Most people don’t ask for more money because of two reasons

1. You believe it’s vulgar to ask about money – even when it is your money.
2. You’re afraid you’re not worth what you’re asking.

Here’s the thing: if you feel that you deserve a raise, there’s every chance that you do. Most people never ask for more money, feeling that they should wait to be rewarded. However, if you’re going above and beyond in your role, you need to consider lacing up your bravery boots and learning how to ask for more from your boss. A lot of employers know that you won’t ask and they’ll wait you out. So, here are a few tips for asking your boss for a raise:

1 – Asking for a Raise is Perfectly Normal

The first step is knowing that it’s totally normal to ask for a raise. Payroll professionals out there won’t be stumped if employees suddenly have more money added to their monthly wage, they’ll roll with it. You will not be inconveniencing anyone when you ask for more money, so it’s always worth it to do it.

2 – Prepare Evidence that You Deserve the Raise

Go with proof you deserve this raise if you decide to ask. You want to ensure that you definitely are offering the business something stellar before you ask to be recompensed. You have to be able to argue your case succinctly, and that requires evidence on your part to show you are worthy of the additional cash.

3 – Timing is Everything

Time this conversation well. Approaching someone in authority and asking for more is not easy, but your boss is also human. You need to think about timing this when they’re not having a rubbish day or dealing with back to back meetings. Time it well and you’ll likely find favor.

4 – Mention Your Seniority

How long have you worked in your job? It’s likely that the length of time that you have been in your role will be enough to ask, especially if you have served rather a length of time. Revisiting the salary with which you started and asking for more at the right time is not a bad thing and you will likely be told yes!

5 – Think about the Company’s Budget

If you know what’s going on with your company budget, you are going to be in the know. If you can factor in your company budgeting cycles, you’re going to have time to plan your meeting well. This way, you cannot be told that you can’t have it due to the budget – you know the budget!

6 – Do Your Salary Research

Get online to places like Salary.com and figure out what your work is worth. Once you know what others are being paid around the world for the same job, compare your salary with theirs and you can go in armed and ready!

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No one wants to think they’ll be injured at their place of work. The fact is, that in 2019 alone there were over 3 million workplace injuries in the USA. 

According to the Workplace Injury Source, the most dangerous occupations to work in (according to the total number of reported accidents) are:

• Health and social care 
• Retail
• Manufacturing and construction
• Accommodation and food
• Transportation and warehousing

A workplace injury is a very broad term and can include anything from carpal tunnel syndrome to a fatal accident.  

Luckily, increased regulation means that employers are required to invest a lot of time and resources in providing a safe working environment for their employees, and the number of accidents that occur has been falling for the past 10 years. 

If you are injured while you’re at work, it can be a very scary time and you may not be sure what to do, who to talk to, or what your rights are. This is what you should do in the first instance:

Report the accident

You should report the accident or injury to your employer as soon as possible.  If there is a possibility that you will need to claim compensation, then this is even more important as most states will have a statute of limitations on how long after an accident occurs that you can claim.  Each state is different but it is often around two years. 

Not reporting an accident could violate your employer’s policies and may leave your open to disciplinary action if you fail to report it 

Seek legal advice 

If you believe your employer is liable for your accident or illness through negligence, then you will need to seek specialist legal advice.  

If you are a member of a union, then you may be able to get a free initial consultation for free to see if you have a case. As your local union rep for further information on any benefits you get. 

If you’re looking for legal advice, choose carefully, as there are many unscrupulous lawyers out there.  

Look for a lawyer who has experience in your specific type of case.  For instance, if you’re a truck driver you would look for lawyers for truck drivers, as they will have specific insight into your case. 

Many employers are required to have a compensation scheme for their workers, but will not pay out if an employee sues them.  You need to weigh up what you could potentially get from the compensation scheme versus what you might be entitled to in a legal scenario. 

Seek a medical opinion

Your employer will likely insist that you see a doctor that they choose for you.  It is a good idea to get a second medical opinion of your own from a different doctor. If both doctors concur, that’s great, but if they have very different diagnoses then you may even need to seek a third opinion. 

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There are a lot of surprising factors that can affect the quality of your communication. You might not think that these small mistakes are making you a poor communicator, but one or a combination of more than one of these little habits can get in the way of people understanding you. Here, we discuss what some of these may be. Knowing them will help you be more effective as a leader and team member.

1. Being Overly-polite

Some people think that being polite is an all-important part of speaking and negotiation skills, and while that’s true, it is possible to overdo it. Being overly-polite and indirect is one of the worst ways to communicate in a business. The truth is that the business environment can be extremely hectic, no matter the industry. You should write your emails, memos, and texts in a way that’s concise and to the point.

You should minimize the amount of time needed to get a point across. This might come off as rude to some people, especially when writing emails. But if your manager only has 2 minutes to scan your email, instead of filling the first paragraph with formalities, you are better off getting to the point first. Avoid lengthy asides and transitions (“on the other hand,” etc.) and keep your sentences short. People will appreciate you for saving their time and will pay full attention to you when you speak.

2. Being Vague and Non-Committal

In the same way that direct communication is important, being vague is a liability in the world of business. While sometimes you need to hedge your language to leave room for changes, vague or uncertain statements when discussing contracts and such results in leaving the people you talked to feeling uncertain themselves.

Use numbers, specific dates, and ranges in estimates, to be as accurate as possible. Leave out the fuzzy language: some, a lot, in the next month. This kind of non-specific language results in less urgency and clear planning- everyone assumes the exact meaning of everything, which leaves room for misunderstanding and misalignment.

3. Not following up

Whether you are a manager talking to your employees, or are an employee talking to your superior, always remember to follow up. Following up means taking the time to send emails, and can even include asking questions immediately following a conversation. If you don’t understand something, make sure to seek an explanation.

Google has built-in follow-ups now from your inbox, but being generally in the habit of following up on requests, and project statuses will go a long way. Going into the Kanban method will also help you keep track of your projects, especially if your team is juggling several.

4. Using the wrong medium of communication

It is also important to keep in mind that even with the correct messaging, using an inappropriate channel of communication can still have detrimental effects. You need to use the right methods and tailor your communication channel to the recipient.

Use text or messaging apps to send urgent messages out to people out in the field. Similarly, knocking someone on Slack can be a timelier way to reach them than over email. What this requires is that you first establish clear lines of communication for your team. Knowing which comms channel to use in which situations will considerably boost the response time.

These are just a few issues that can affect your communication skills. Better business communication is a work in progress. You need to work on it constantly in order to become a better and more effective communicator.

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